Temperature-regulating valve mechanism for heat-exchange devices



J. C. SHAW TEMPERATURE-REGULATING VALVE MECHANISM May 3, 1949.

FOR HEAT-EXCHANGE DEVICES Filed Deo. 4, 1946 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 z fk May3, 1949.

FOR HEAT-EXCHANGE Filed Dec. 4, 1946 J. C. SHAW TEMPERATURE-REGULATINGVALVE MECHANISM DEVICES s sneets-lsneet 2 May 3, 1949. J c sHAw V'2,469,212

TEMPERATURE-REULA-TniG VALVE MECHANISM FOR HEAT-EXCHANGE DEVICES FiledDec. 4, 1946 l 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 UNITED sTATEs PATl-:N

are?" T oFrlcE TEMPERATURE-REGULATING VALVE MECHANISM FOR HEAT-EXCHANGEDEVICES Joe C. Shaw, Racine, Wis.,

Radiator Company, of Wisconsin assigner to Young Racine, Wis., acorporation Application December 4, 1946, Serial No. 713,966 4 claims.(cl. 23a-34) Modern aircraft, being used in all kinds of extreme hot andcold weather conditions, requires cooling units for the power plantlubricating oil equipped with a special type valve mechanism. Thismechanism must be so constructed and thermostatically actuated thatduring the operational demands upon the cooler, which at times causequick changes in the viscous condition of the oil, it will protect theoil cooler against its being subjected to pressures likely to causeinjury to the core structure, ydepended upon for the dissipation of heatfrom the oil during the normal operation of the aircraft power plants.To this end oil coolers for modern aircraft have been provided withthermostatically actuated valve mechanisms which cause the oil ow toeither (1) :by-pass the cooling core and travel through an unrestrictedwarming chamber when because of the congealed condition of the oil inthe core labyrinth an attempt to force oil through said labyrinth wouldmost likely result in injury to the walls, or (2) by-pass both thewarm-up chamber and the core labyrinth when pressure on the congealedoil in the'warm-up chamber as wel] as in the core labyrinth might causeinjury toA the walls of the warm-up chamber.

In order to fully safeguard the Warm-up chamber and the core labyrinthfrom excessive pressure, the main valve mechanism for controlling suchthree-fold oil flow has to be supplemented by check valves situated soas to preclude the possibility of `a back pressure reaching the warm-upchamber or the core labyrinth when the main valve mechanism has beenactuated to by-pass the oil iiow around these oil cooler channels.

The main objects of this invention, therefore,

are to provide an improved form of thermostatically-actuated valvemechanism for oil cooling units for aircraft power plants whereby theoil cooler is always protected against excessive pressures; to providean improved auxiliary valve i mechanism, which protects the oil coolingunit from back pressure of the oil when thev main valve mechanism hasbeen actuated to eiect Ia by-pass of the cooling unit dual flow paths;and to provide an improved auxiliary valve mechanism of this kindactuated by the same thermostatic means which actuates the main valvemechanism so that the functioning of the auxiliary valves issynchronized with the operation of the valve mechanism which controlsthe flow paths for the oil.

A preferred form of valve mechanism, embodying this invention, is shownin the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of an aircraft oil cooling device equippedwith a valve mechanism embodying this invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional detail taken on the line 2 2 ofFig. 1 showing the manner in which the valve housing is suspended withinand .bonded to the oil cooler casing;

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the valve mechanism taken onthe line 3 3 of Fig. 2, the valves being .positioned to permit an oil'flow through the valve housing to by-pass the oil cooler completely;

Fig. 4 is a similar view but with the valves shifted to the oppositeextreme of their positions which permits the ow of oil through the maincooling core of the oil cooler;

Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the valve housing showing closed the portsthrough which the oil from the main oil cooling core enters the outletend-chamber in the valve sleeve housing;

Fig. 6 is a similar view showing these ports partially open to permitoil ow therethrough; and

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the improved sleeve mounting for valvemechanisms of this kind, one of the auxiliary valves associatabletherewith being shown in its disassembled axial position.

The preferred form of auxiliary valve mechanism embodying thisinvention, is herein shown incorporated in a valve mechanism of the type-set forth in co-pending application Serial No. 713,965, led December 4,1946. Such a valve mechanism is designed for use with an oil coolingdevice 6 of the type shown in Shaw- Schlapman co-pending applicationSerial No. 508,104, led October 29, 1943, the housing 'l for the valvemechanism being constructed so as to be suspended from and Within thecasing 8 of the oil cooling device, as more clearly set forth inco-pending application Serial No. 713,- 964, led December 4, 1946.

IZlhe valve mechanism 5 comprises the hous- 'ing' 1 wherein issupportedA a sleeve 9 which. mounts a plurality of valve seat partitionsIll,

II, I2, and I3 with which co-act the primary main valve members I4, I5,and I6 and the aux illary valve members I1 and I8, arranged on a valvestem I9, so as to be actuated by the thermostat for controlling the flowof oil from the housing main inlet port 2I to the housing' main outletport 22 either directly through the housing or indirectly through one orthe other of the dual oil-flow pathsA in the oil cooling device 8.

An oil cooling device 6 of the type set forth in the aforesaidco-pending application Serial No. 508,104 includes a row of spaced tubesextending dialmetrically across the casing in a plane disposed axiallyof the casing and a battery of tubes extending axially of the casing 8andfilling the spaces on the opposite sidesl of these tubes and betweenthem and the casing 8. These latter tubeshave their ends bonded togetherand to the periphery of the casing 8 so as to form a labyrinth aroundsaid tubes in heat-exchange relationship with a cooling medium flowingthrough said tubes. These two sets of tubes provide two oil flow pathsthrough the cooling device, one throughl the diametrically arrangedtubes, which is lcornmonly referred to as the warm-up chamber," and theother through the labyrinth around the axially-disposed tubes, which isreferred to as the main cooling core.

The main housing 1, for the valve mechanism, is in the form of a castingthe open ends of which have formed thereon annular ribs 23 and 24 and anintermediate annular rib 25 which co-act to provide support for thesleeve 9. In addition to the main inlet and outlet ports 2| and 22,located in the top Wall of the housing 1, the housing is provided withan auxiliary outlet port 26 and an auxiliary inlet port 21 formed in thebottom of the housing, and a pair of auxiliary inlet ports 28 formed inthe side walls of the housing. As will be noted from Fig. 2, the sidewalls of the housing 1, whereat the inlet ports 28 are formed, extendinwardly to constitute further support for the sleeve 9, in addition tothat aorded vby the ribs 23, 24, and 25. Moreover, such formation of thehousing walls restricts communication between these several housingports and the ports which are formed in the sleeve 9, as will appearmore fully hereinafter.

End caps or plates 29 and 30 are provided for closing the open endsofthe housing. These end caps have annular shoulders 3I and 32 formed onthe inner facesthereof which telescope and fit within the adjacent endsof the sleeve 9. Such end caps 29 and 39 are held in place by aconventional type of spring ring 33. Gaskets 34 are recessed in thehousing 9 outwardly of the ribs 23 and 24 and in the rib 25 so as toform an oil-tight seal between the housing 1 and the end caps 29 and 30and the sleeve 9.

' The sleeve 9, as most clearly shown in Fig. 3, is a tubular member ofa length so that it will fit within the housing 1 between the end caps29 and 30, being supported on the ribs 23, 24, and 25. Within thissleeve are secured the valveseat partitions I0, II, I2, and I3 whichdivide port2'l,v the chamber 33 and the housing main outlet port 22,andthe chamber 39 and the'housing auxiliary inlet ports 28, as may becontrolled by the operation of the'valvemechanlsm,v to be explained morefully hereinafter.

The sleeve 9 is located and held in its proper angular position withrespect to the housing 1 by means of a pin 45. This pin is insertedthrough an aperture 48 in the housing 1 adjacent the end cap 29 andengages a recess 41 in the end of the sleeve 9.

The` valve-seat partitions I0, II, I2, and I3 are in the form of annularmembers brazed or welded on the interior of the sleeve 9. They areprovided with central openings which afford communication between theadjacent chambers and permit the formation of valve'seats 48, 49, 50,5I, and 52 adapted to co-act with the valve members I4, I5, I6, and I1,respectively, in the control of such inter-chamber communication.

It will be noted from Fig. 3 that the valve seats 50 and 5I are formedOn a separate ring 53 mounted on the valve-seat partition. i3 and heldin placev by a conventionalv type spring ring 54.

The primary or main valve members I4, I5, and I6 are of the poppet typewhereas the auxiliary valve members I1 and I8 are of the sleeve type.

The slide or valve member I4 is supported on a bushing threaded on theend of the valve stem I9. On the side opposite the tapered part, whichengages the valve seat 48, is formed an annular extension 56 whichserves as a piston slidably mounted in a cylinder 51 integrally formedon the end cap 29. A spring 58 is interposed `between the valve memberI4 and the end cap 29 and normally urges the valve member I4 toward itsseat 48. Apertures 59 are formed in the valve member I4 to providecommunication between the chamber 36 andthe cylinder 51 rearwardly ofthe valve member I4.

The valve member I5 is of a construction quite similar to the valvemember I4 except that the extension 69 serves as a cylinder co-actingwith a piston 6I. I The valve member I5 is slidably 1 mounted on thevalve stem I9 inwardly of a nut '62 on said stem and is normally urgedagainst said nut by means of a spring 63 interposed b eseat partition I0is equal to the interior diameter of the pistoncylinder 51 whereas thediameter ofthe opening of the valve-seat partition II is slightlygreater than the interior diametercf the the interior of the sleeve intochambers 35, 36,

the chamber 38 yand the housing auxiliary inlet cylinder 60. Thisestablishes a condition of balanbe for the valve member I4 and acondition of imbalance for the valve member I5. Accordingly, themovement of the valve member I4 will be conned to the pressuredifferential between the spring 58 and the'action of the thermostat 20under the changing temperature of the oil flowing through chamber 36. Onthe other hand,

the'valve member I5, due to a differential in the force of the oilpressure acting on opposite sides of the valve when the valve member I5is seated under the pressure of the thermostat 20, 'will retractagainstthe action of the spring 63 to subsequent increasing oil pressure in thechamber 36.

The. valve member I8 is bell-shaped and slidably mounted on the-valvestem I9, being normally urged into contact with a shoulder on said stemby means of a spring 99 interposed between valve member I 6 and a flange81 on a collar 89 threadingly connected on the valve stem The auxiliaryvalve member I1 is slidably supported on the valve seats 5I and 52 tospan the port 42 and is connected to the valve stem I9 by means of aspider 69. The hub of the spider embraces the valve stem I 9 and thevalve is normally urged against shoulder 19 on the valve stem I9, bymeans of the spring 63. Hence the valve I1 is moved by the stem I9synchronically with the vales I4, I5, and I6.

The auxiliary valve I8 is slidably mounted in the sleeve 9 within thechamber 39. It is provided with ports 1 I adapted to register with theports M in the sleeve 9 and is recessed at 12 to provide an openingregistering with the port i3 in the sleeve 9. This valve member ismounted on the collar 89 by means of a spider', the hub of which is heldfirmly against the ange t1 by means of a spring ring 1d. Aninwardly-extending pin 15, supported on the housing t, is received in aslot 16 in the auxiliary valve member I9 so as to locate and retain thevalve member I8 in its proper angular position with respect to thesleeve 9. As with the auxiliary valve il, the auxiliary valve i9 ismoved by the stem i9 synchronically with thee valves Hl, i5, and l5.

These two auxiliary slide valves are provided to effect a cutting ofi ofany possibility of a back pressure from the chambers Stand 39 into theoil cooler when the main valves ld, i5, and i6 have been shifted by thethermostat to close the inlet flow to the chamber 35 and cause a direct110W axially through the housing 1 from the housing inlet port 2i to thehousing outlet port 22, thus ley-passing the oil cooler The valve stemi9 is made up or two sections i1 and 13. These are secured together by aslip it as shown at iii, so that in its assembled form it constitutes aunitary part extending from the chamber 35, where it supports the valvemember H, to the chamber 39, Where it is supported in axial alinenientwith the thermostat 2t.

The thermostat 2li is of the Vernet type and comprises two of thesedevices opposed to each other. The stem t@ for theone thermostat extendsinto the collar t8 whereas the stem di on the other thermostat isreceived in a collar 82 supported on the housing end cap St. The pins 83and 36 for these respective thermostat elements, which are shiftedrelative to the stems t@ and 8l by reason of the temperature iniiuenceon the expansible substance therein, bear respec-l tively against theend of the valve stem section 19 and a plug E35 threaded into the end ofthe collar 92. l

A valve mechanism of this type is especially suited for assembly with anoil cooling device e of the type shown in aforesaid co-pendingapplication Serial No. 508,104, in the preferred relationship as morefully set forth in the aforesaid co-pending application Serial No.713,964. ln such an arrangement the valve housing 1 is suspended withinthe casing 8 of the oil cooling device 6. The casing is bonded to thehousing as shown in Fig. 2 so that only the top Wall of the valvehousing 1, with its main inlet and outlet ports 2l and 22, is exteriorof the casing 8. The upper ends of the warm-up chamber tubes 86 t intothe bottom of the housing 1 in communication with the respective housingauxiliary outlet and inlet ports 29 and 21. At their opposite ends thesetubes are connected with a header 81 6 wherein are formed port openingsI9 which provide communication with the main core sections surroundingthe usual axially-disposed tubes filling the compartments between thetubes 98 and the casing 8.

Such a sleeve mounting for the valve mechanism, as herein set forth,lessens the amount of machining that has to be done on the housing 1.This is particularly advantageous where the valve mechanism is to besuspended within the cooler casing 8, as herein shown and described.This permits the highly machined and delicately arranged valve mechanismto be assembled in the valve housing 1 after al1 the work has been doneto install and seal the various tubes which constitute the warm-upchamber and the main cooling core for the cooling device 6.

When the oil cooling device, with the associated valve housing, isready, the assembly of the device is as follows:

The valve-seat partitions I9, II, I2, and I3, after appropriatemachining, are welded or brazed in the sleeve 9. The check valve memberi1 is first placed on the valve stem 1i up against the shoulder iii). nThereupon the piston 6I is slipped onto the stem section 11 after whichthe spring 93 is placed in position and the valve member le slipped ontothe valve stem section 11. These parts are secured in place by the nutS2, after which the bushing 55 is placed on the end of the valve stemsection. y

These partially assembled parts are then placed in position within thesleeve 9 as they are shown in Fig. 3. The valve seat ring 53 is thensecured in place by means of the spring ring 5d. The valve member it isthen slipped onto the valve stem section it up against the shoulder S5following which the spring 86 is arranged between the valve member i@and the flange @l on the collar St, screwed onto the end of the valvestem section lli?. The auxiliary valve member is next has the spider iiplaced over the end of the collar 9d in position against the ange 61 bythe spring ring id. This sub-assembly of parts on the valve stem section18 is then inserted into the end of the sleeve 9 so that the slot 'i6Will receive the pin i5 and the end of the valve stem section 'iiienters the end of the section 11.

When these parts are assembled in the sleeve i? the sleeve is insertedinto thevalve housing 1 and secured in proper angular position by meansof the pin d5. Thereupon the thermostat 29 has the stem to slipped intothe collar 68 and the coliar 8i' is slipped over the end of the stem 8ifollowing which the end cap 39 is placed over the end of the sleeve 92and locked in position in the end of the valve housing 1 by means of thespring ring 33. Next the valve member Ill is placed in position upon thebushing 55. The spring 58 is then arranged on the valve member it, inthe position shown in Fig. 3, whereupon the end cap 'it is slipped intoplace and locked by means 'of the spring ring 33.

Fittings 99 and 96), of a suitable character, are secured to the valvehousing 1 whereby the housing main inlet and outlet ports 2l and 22respectively may be connected into the lubricating oil line after thecooling device 6 has been properly secured in place on the aircraft.

The operation of the valve mechanism is,

briey, as follows:

Assume that the oil in the cooling core of the cooling device 6 is socongealed thatit would be unsafe to have the pressure of the oil lineapplied thereto. Such atemperature of the oil would of necessity actuatethe thermostat 20 so that the valve members I4, I5. I6, I1, and I8 wouldoccupy the positions shown in Fig. 3. Thus communication between thehousing main inlet port 2I and main outlet .port 22 would bedirect 5through the sleeve from the chamber 36 through the chambers 31, 38, and39.

It will be noted that when the valve stem I I, is so retracted theauxiliary valve member I1 is seated on the valve seat 5I. sleeve port42.Likewise the auxiliary valve member I8 is shifted so that the ports '44are `not open to the housing auxiliary ports 28. It is, therefore,impossible for the oil line pressure,

applied to moving the oil through the sleeve, to 15 exercise any backpressure through the ports 42- and 28 on either the warm-up chambertubes- 86 or the main cooling core.

As soon as the travel of the oil through this path has becomesufficiently warm to make it 2.01

safe for the line pressure to be applied to the warm-up chamber,comprising tubes 86, the thermostat 20 will have shifted the valve stemI8 to the right of Fig. 3 suicient to seat the valve member I5 butunseat the valve member I4. Thereupon the path of the oil from thehousing main inlet port 2| to the main outlet port 22 would be indirectthrough the warm-up chamber of the cooling device.

Such movement of the valve stem I9 retracts 30:

the check valve member I1 thereby opening the port 42 and permitting theexit of oil from the warm-up chamber through the' housing auxiliaryinlet port 21, through the port 42, into the chamber 38, thence to thechamber 39, and out through the sleeve outlet port 43. Such movement ofthe stem I8 also shifts the auxiliary member I8 to begin to open upcommunication through the sleeve ports 44. Obviously the seating of thevalve member I5 on the valve seat 43 precludes any oil flow between thesleeve cham' bers 36 and 31. However, in the event the condition of theoil inthe warm-up chamber should make it unsafe for the oil linepressure to be applied to the oil in the warm-up chamber the 5f spring63 will yield so as to permit an escape of oil through the opening inthe valve-seat partition II until such time as the condition of the oilin the warm-up chamber makes it safe to apply the line pressure to themovement of the- 501.

oil therethrough.

As the temperature of the oil rises further the thermostat 20 acts tocontinue the movement of the valve stem to the right of Fig. 3 until thebell-shaped valve member I6 is seated on the 55 sleeve ports 44 and theauxiliary valve D0rts 1I 85 and out through the port 43 to the housingmain outlet port 22.

Variations and modifications in the details of struiture and arrangementof the parts may be resorted to within the spirit and coverage of the'.o

appended claims.

I claim:

1. A fluid temperature-regulating valve mech# anism comprising, ahousing adapted for at'- tacnment to a heat-exchange unit having dual7s-,bers contacting the walls 0f said housing in the This closes the 10num now patnspsam Anoa-.ing having a mam fluid inlet and a main fluidoutlet, said housing also having an auxiliary iluid outlet forcommunication with a common inlet to the dual fluid flow paths in saidheat-exchange unit and auxiliary inlets for communication with the fluidoutlets for the dual fluid iow paths of said heatexchange unit, saidhousing being divided interiorly by transverse Partitions into aplurality of chambers which communicate radially of saidl housing, onewith said housing main inlet, another with said housing auxiliaryoutlet, and two others respectively with the housing auxiliary inlets,said partitions having openings formed therein affording communicationaxially of said housing between the chambers on opposite sidesl of arespective partition, poppet valve mechanism movable axially of saidhousing and coacting with valve seats on certain of said partitionsopening to control the flow of fluid between said housing main inlet andsaid housing main outlet either directly through said partition openingsor indirectly through said heatexchange unit, a thermostat connected toactuate said valve mechanism and mounted in said perature of the fluiddetermines the flow path thereof through said housing, and slide valvemembers co-acting with said housing for controlling communicationthrough said housingu auxiliary inlets, said slide valve member beingconnected to said thermostat so that the actua" ation of said slidevalve member is synchronizedg with theactuation of ysaid poppet valvemechanism whereby the closing and opening of said housing auxiliaryinlets occurs simultaneously with the opening and closing respectivelyof 0A communication between said housing main inlet and outlet directlythrough said housing.

. 2. A fluid temperature-regulating valve mechanism comprising, ahousing adapted for attachchange unit, said housing being dividedinterlorly by transverse partitions into a plurality of chambers whichcommunicate radially of said housing, one with said housing main inlet,another with said housing auxiliary outlet, and two others respectivelywith the housing auxiliary inlets, said partitions having openingsformed therein affording communication axially of said housing betweenthe` chambers on oppositesides of a respective partition, poppet valvemechanism movable axially of said housing and co-acting with valve seatson certain of said partitions to4 control the ow of fluid between saidhousing termines the flow path thereof through said housing, and a pairof axially slidable valve meminlets for communication with the fluidoutlets: for the dual fluid flow paths of said heat-exmain inlet andsaid housing main outlet either4 directly through said partitionopenings or inrespective chambers and adapted to control suchcommunication 'therewith through. lsaid housing auxiliary inlets, saidslldable valve members being mounted to move with saidpop'pet valvemechanism whereby vthe closing and opening of said housing auxiliaryinlet is synchronized with the opening and vclosing respectively oicommunication between said housingmaininlet and outlet directly throughsaid housing.

3.A fluid temperature-regulating valve mechanism comprising,a housingadapted for attachment to a heat-exchange unit having dual fluid owpathasaid'housing having a main iluldl inlet and a main uid outlet, saidhousing also having an Vauxiliary uid outlet for communication with acommon inlet to the dualvfluid flow paths in said heat-exchange unit andauxiliary inlets for communication with the 'fluid outlets for the dualiluid :dow paths of said heat-exchange unit, said housing being dividedinteriorly by transverse partitions into a plurality of chambers whichcommunicate radially of said housing, one with said housing main inlet,another with said housing auxiliary outlet, and two others respectivelywith the housing auxiliary inlets,

said partitions havingv openings formed therein affording communicationaxially of said housing between the chambers on opposite sides of arespective partition, a thermostat mounted in the chamber communicatingdirectly with said housing mainoutletg'a valve stem extending axiallythrough said chambers to .the chamber communicating directly with saidhousing auxiliary outlet, poppet valve membersl mountedv on said stemand co-acting with valve seats on 'certain of said partitions to controlthev flow of iluid be- A tween said housing main inlet and said housingmain outlet either diri tly through said housing or indirectly throughsaid heat-exchange unit, cylindrical valve members mounted on said valvestem and having fluid-tight sliding engagement with the walls of thechambers which-respectively communicate with said housing auxiliaryinlets, the mounting of said cylindrical valve members on said stemrelative to said ilrst-men- 4 tioned valves being such that the; closingand opening o! communication betweensaid two other chambers and therespective housing inlets is synchronized with the opening and closingrespectively of communication between said haus-.w 563,892

ing main inlet and outlet directly through said. housing.

communicating with each other axially ci' ,said- I sleeve throughopenings in said partitions, thermostatic means supported in one of saidchambers, a valveI stem connected to said thermostatic means andextending axially through said chambers, a Doppel; valve member` foreach of said valve seats mounted on said valve stem and movabletherewith whereby said valve members selectively open and closecommunication axially of saidA housing between said chambers and saidhousing ports as said stem is axially actuated by said thermostaticmeans, and slide valve members controlling the sleeve ports affordingcommunication between said housing auxiliary inlet ports and theinterior of said sleeve, said slide valve members being connected tosaid valve stem for actuation by said thermostat whereby the closing andopening of said sleeve ports communicating with said housing auxiliaryinlet ports is synchronized with the opening and closing respectively otcommunication between said housing inlet and outlet directly throughsaid housing.

Joa c. sHAw.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the ille ofthis patent:

, UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,374,639 Miller Apr. 24,19452,379,109 Shaw June 26,1945 2,396,053 McEntire Mar. 5, 1946 v FOREIGNPATENTS Number Country Date Great Britain June 3. 1943

